Many Random Questions about my '77 Westfalia - Interior related

[N'Syncro]

Ok, so I have a bunch of questions about my '77 Westfalia, that I'm hoping you guys can provide some answers for. I just had a buddy complete a TDI engine swap on it, so some of these questions may be related to that/ Shockingly, I've owned this bus for nearly 30 years (It's been parked for the last 23 though!), but this is all stuff that's made me wonder, plus I just ripped out my entire interior, so I'm a little perplexed by a few things, and thought I'd ask it all at once, so here we go!

#1 Is this cigarette lighter aftermarket? I'm guessing so

#2 - What is this little metal thing in my dash, directly under my glove box?

#3 - I found this bracket in my electrical compartment (between the fridge and closet where my shore cable is stored). Does anyone know what this is for? I have no idea if it's van related or not?

#4 - This opening under the rear rock-n-roll bed, normally has a metal plate over it, but it's it for? It's just a big opening to the engine bay I think? This doesn't seem ideal for engine noise / fumes getting into the cabin. Is it supposed to be properly plumbed for rear heat? (We removed the oem gas heater)

#5-7
5. What's the best way to manipulate that bare metal strip that holds a lot of the interior wood trim and also vinyl roof liner? Do you just bend/peel it back? I need to replace both the wood and all the roof vinyl.
6. This black power? wire. It runs from my closet (spare wheel well, along the top of the fridge, then behind the sink cabinet, and runs under the front seat.. is this just a power wire? What does it supply power to? Reason I ask is mine is cut, but everything is working as it should be
7. Is there any type of specific gasket to use to better seal the ABS sink pipe that goes through the floor? Mine is pretty crusty.

#8a - How many yards of headliner material do you need to do the entire van? (above the driver, the skinny pieces along each side that run front to back, and above the rear bench and the 'roof' when you fold the bunk bed down)? I'm guessing about 6-7?
#8b - Is there supposed to be the vinyl roof material under the headbanger cabinet?

#9 - The 110v electrical 'house' outlet found under the rock-n-roll bench, beside the fuse panel... Are these plugs supposed to be installed upside down? Mine is. Usually the 2 skinny prong inlets are on top and the single ground round inlet is on the bottom. But mine is the opposite.


Thank you!

[busdaddy]

#1 Yes.
#2 Factory 12v power outlet (European).
#3 It might be part of the guards in there, let's see some pics of the area behind the fridge.
#4 It's the air inlet for the BA-6 gas heater under the bus.
#5 Don't bend anything, remove the screws holding the plywood at the bottom and tilt/lower the wall apnel out of the channel.
#6 Could be the power for the sink pump that comes from the front fuse box.
#7 Wetsuit neoprene.
#8a Yards?, Isn't it plywood?
#8b maybe, depends on the model, and quetion 8a.
#9 there is no law that says outlets have to be mounted one way or another, if you want it to look like a couple of suprised faces take it apart and put the outlet in the other way. But you can't see it from the drivers seat or the bed so is it a big deal?
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[airschooled]

1) yes

2) The Silver Socket. It is sacred and must not be disturbed
https://www.ratwell.com/technical/SilverSocket.html

3) no clue

4) That's the intake for your old gas heater. Bummer, they fantastic when cleaned up and working. Currently a rodent vestibule, best sealed up for now.

5) Bent the wood out of the way and remove it first. The metal channels stay behind since they're riveted to the car.

6) Probably the switch for the gas heater.

7) I immediately think of neoprene/wetsuit material, but that's plentiful around San Diego right now. Sheet silicone would work just as well.

No idea on the rest of them… Most late Westy electrical sockets I see are 'upside down' as you described; I've always assumed it's like in a house where the socket upside down is controlled by a nearby switch.

Robbie
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[Mispeld]

#2 - yes, 12v european style plug. Amazon has adapters. I have one that has a digital voltage display and usb port.

#3 - I think it might be a bracket for inside the cabinet of the icebox where the heater element is.
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Tom
1977 Westy. 2.0 Fuel Injected.

[N'Syncro]

Absolutely amazing!! Thank you guys!

#8 - The headliner material i'm reinstalling is on a vinyl roll, hence the 'yards'. I'm not sure if it's supposed to go on the underside of the headbanger cupboard though? Right now yes, I just have like plywood, but i'm unsure if that's factory, or if my original headliner peeled off of that area over the years?

I've got 1 more question!

#10 - These threaded plugs are located on both rear quarter panels. What are they for? Beside your hips/waist if you were laying down on the bed

Thanks everyone!

[rsbadura]

#8
at this model years the plywood was covered by white vinyl/plastic against moisture.
Earlier models have only plywood.

#10
If I understand your photo and description correct,
it should be part of the screws for the optional rear seat belt construction - with a metall arm to get better shoulder height:

see also VW part catalogue page 082-20:
https://www.vw-t2-bulli.de/michaelknappmann/fiche/t208220.html
_________________
Rolf-Stephan Badura
1970 VW Karmann-Ghia Coupe
1979 VW Bus L camper conversion
1982 Eriba Pan travel trailer
2017 VW CrossPolo
HAZET classic tools collection

[N'Syncro]

Oh wow, so 3 point seat belts where an option then? This is actually pretty amazing as I've got 2 young kids and right now, they're not allowed to ride in the van until I sort out adding 3 point belts to the back

[rsbadura]

yes, installed it also for my grandson because of current German laws:
https://www.vw-t2-bulli.de/de-rearthreepointbelt.html
_________________
Rolf-Stephan Badura
1970 VW Karmann-Ghia Coupe
1979 VW Bus L camper conversion
1982 Eriba Pan travel trailer
2017 VW CrossPolo
HAZET classic tools collection

[N'Syncro]

Very cool! Thanks for posting that!

I believe the driver side is behind the storage closet cabinet (I'm currently at work so I can't check the van to confirm), so I guess that side is going to be a lot more challenging. But I'm glad you were able to solve one more lingering mystery for me. Cheers.

[jmstu76]

[dodger tom]

[N'Syncro]

[dodger tom]

found this photo from westfabulous in the gallery.

_________________
1978 Champaign Edition 2 Westfalia
Would never find the time to keep up another classic air-cooled.

[N'Syncro]

Holy cow, that's awesome. Way better than the rats nest of cables I have in mine as it is. I'll have to do some fitting up and see if this bracket is for it! You guys just keep amazing me every post here. Ha.

My mechanic buddy thought it was maybe a preliminary intercooler bracket we fabbed up. He was very perplexed on how it got in this compartment though.

EDIT: The bracket is in fact for this electrical cubby area. So awesome! Just gotta cut some new pieces of wood now.